The Pediatric Patient Flashcards
Children Metabolism
their metabolism altered, but it is dynamic, constantly changing as they grow
Stability - Children
incredible ability to compensate. Unfortunately, they remain stable for a time period then decompensate very rapidly. Nurses need to be vigilant in the assessment of a child to catch subtle cues to illness and instability.
Vital signs of children
Infants and children have different parameters of normal vital signs. the nurse must be knowledgeable of the age variances
Airway of children
airway of a child is much smaller than that of an adult
Fluid balance in children
Infants and children have a larger body/water content than an adult. This can result in dehydration and fluid/electrolyte imbalances much quicker
Medication administration for children
Medication dosages are weight-based in pediatrics. The nurse may also need to develop interesting approaches to medication administration to aid the infant/child in compliance with taking the medication
Decompensated shock in children
Hypotension is a late sign of shock in the infant and child. The nurse must be vigilant in assessing for early, subtle signs
Lab values in children
Lab value normal ranges are altered for the infant and child. The pediatric nurse must be familiar with acceptable ranges when caring for the infant or child
Maturity in children
Maturity - Infants and children are immature physically, physiologically, and emotionally. This can impact the medical care greatly.
sniffing position
rare occurrence for an infant or child to have cardiac failure. More often, an infant or child will experience respiratory failure that, if uncorrected, will lead to cardiac compromise.
An infant and toddler has a large occiput. Because of this, a towel is placed under the infant’s shoulders, while supine, in order to open the infant’s airway.
endotracheal tube (placement )
1-2 cm above the carina
endotracheal tube placement
- bilateral breath sounds
- bilateral chest expansion
- CO2 detector
ETT may be secured with tape or a commercial ETT holder. Your text demonstrates a photo of the correct procedure of securing the ETT with tape in Figure 39.4. It is very easy for the ETT to become dislodged in the infant or child due to the size of their airway.
confirm endotracheal tube placement
Chest x-ray
color-coded resuscitation tape (Broselow tape)
Everything in pediatrics is weight based. However, it is not always appropriate to weigh a child before life-saving measures are completed. This tape is a guideline of what size tubes and dosages of medications to give a child based on the child’s length. This is used in an emergency situation.
The most common cause of viral bronchiolitis in infants
respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV
RSV ( respiratory syncytial virus)
- highly contagious
- uses infections of the lungs and respiratory tract. It’s so common that most children have been infected with the virus by age 2.
- can cause severe infection in some people, including babies 12 months and younger (infants), infant with congenital heart disease, especially premature infants, older adults, people with heart and lung disease, or anyone with a weak immune system (immunocompromised)
RSV symptoms
- severe cold-like episodes with copious amounts of drainage
RSV Severe symptoms
- Fever
- Severe cough
- Wheezing
- Rapid breathing or difficulty breathing
- Bluish color of the skin (cynanosis)
Prevention for premature infants and those that are vulnerable to RSV
immunization, palivizumab (Synagis), is offered. This is a once a month injection during the RSV season, typically fall and winter